Remembering Los Angeles' own lion, P-22

Xochitl, Ashley Wells, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly; LAist 89.3 FM (scpr.org), 2/4/23

Why did you have to kill me on purpose, why?

Los Angeles lost its lion, Puma 22, to its favorite sport -- driving too fast on the freeway. P-22 could cross on his own, but 200 ponies were too much for him to absorb. His injuries led to erratic behavior and misguided veterinarians euthanized him. They give their reasons, couched in compassionate terms, but he could have lived. And this past weekend, he was eulogized at his former home, Griffith Park. The Greek Theater is on the other entrance to the park, behind the hill where the Hollywood sign shines. It was full of well-wishers and many beautiful speeches in memento mori, simulcast live by the local NPR affiliate (scpr.org).

• More: P-22 Memorial: Thousands gathered to remember LA’s famous mountain lion (LAist)
• What the death of P-22 means for Los Angeles, and how its life can teach us to better care for our big cats
• We rename P-22 the mountain lion on Off-Ramp for 2015 (AUDIO: "Puma Thurman," "Felix," "Pounce de Leon"?)
• The hunt for killer mountain lion P-45, what to do with CA's 102 million dead trees... (KPCC/SoCal NPR)

The Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory by day, with the Valley (SFV) behind the hill.

LA's "Central Park" connects to the Santa Monica mountain range, home to wild cats.

Maybe we're taking this too far? Suddenly everyone loves a killer in the city? Save our wildlife!